Hardwood vs. Porcelain Tile
Price
Hardwood and porcelain tile both have their advantages, but one of the first things you should probably think about is the price. Everyone has a budget they should stick to during any home renovation project, and hardwood floors will typically be the more expensive option. This is mainly due to two factors – quality and installation. Porcelain tile installation is a lot easier than the process to lay down hardwood flooring. This means the cost to install tile is often going to be a lot more affordable. Hardwood is also a very high-quality material, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be the best choice for you. Tile is made from more inexpensive materials while still being durable, so the final price to place tile throughout a room will typically cost you less money.Durability and Maintenance
Hardwood is very durable and resistant to scratches, but porcelain tiles are also extremely well-made. They may even be sturdier than the competition! Wood-like tile is also quite simple to maintain and non-hygroscopic, meaning you won’t have to worry about water negatively affecting your floor. On the contrary, you’ll want to avoid getting water on your hardwood. If you spill something on a hardwood floor once and clean it up immediately, it shouldn’t be a big deal, but prolonged exposure can cause damage. Furthermore, this brings up a concern if you live in an area with a lot of moisture in the air. Hardwood may not even be an option.Design
Ultimately, you can get a lot of unique styles for your hardwood floor, but you’re consistently going to be choosing from various shades of brown. If you opt for the wood-like porcelain tile, you’ll not only have style choices but color choices too–like a cool gray or gradient charcoal. This gives you a lot more flexibility when decorating your Hollywood home. If you’re attempting a white theme for a room, you’d be able to get white porcelain tile that have a wood-like appearance.Noise
Do you want a quiet floor? One that won’t leave behind a creaking sound as you walk? Any type of wood floor is probably not going to be your go-to choice if you want a lower noise level. Wood isn’t as condensed as tile, so while tile can provide the appearance of a wood floor, it also provides the added benefit of being quite as well.Outside Elements
The Florida heat and humidity can be a nightmare for hardwood flooring. Moisture can cause damage to the wood while the heat can make it expand. Hardwood floors that run into this issue can cause the wood to bend – an issue you wouldn’t run into with porcelain tile.